Patents by Inventor John Smythe

John Smythe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8853682
    Abstract: Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Greeley, Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8822974
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells. The memory cells may have a first electrode, and a trench-shaped programmable material structure over the first electrode. The trench-shape defines an opening. The programmable material may be configured to reversibly retain a conductive bridge. The memory cell may have an ion source material directly against the programmable material, and may have a second electrode within the opening defined by the trench-shaped programmable material. Some embodiments include arrays of memory cells. The arrays may have first electrically conductive lines, and trench-shaped programmable material structures over the first lines. The trench-shaped structures may define openings within them. Ion source material may be directly against the programmable material, and second electrically conductive lines may be over the ion source material and within the openings defined by the trench-shaped structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Sanh D. Tang, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140241053
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a shallow trench isolation structure having a dielectric material with energetic species implanted to a predetermined depth of the dielectric material. Embodiments further include methods of fabricating the trench structures with the implant of energetic species to the predetermined depth. In various embodiments the implant of energetic species is used to densify the dielectric material to provide a uniform wet etch rate across the surface of the dielectric material. Embodiments also include memory devices, integrated circuits, and electronic systems that include shallow trench isolation structures having the dielectric material with the high flux of energetic species implanted to the predetermined depth of the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 8772166
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed, including for increasing the density of isolated features in an integrated circuit. Also disclosed are associated structures. In some embodiments, contacts are formed on pitch with other structures, such as conductive interconnects that may be formed by pitch multiplication. To form the contacts, in some embodiments, a pattern corresponding to some of the contacts is formed in a selectively definable material such as photoresist. Features in the selectively definable material are trimmed, and spacer material is blanket deposited over the features and the deposited material is then etched to leave spacers on sides of the features. The selectively definable material is removed, leaving a mask defined by the spacer material. The pattern defined by the spacer material may be transferred to a substrate, to form on pitch contacts. In some embodiments, the on pitch contacts may be used to electrically contact conductive interconnects in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, Mark Kiehlbauch, Steve Kramer, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140185983
    Abstract: A structure for optically aligning an optical fiber to a photonic device and method of fabrication of same. The structure optically aligns an optical fiber to the photonic device using a lens between the two which is moveable by actuator heads. The lens is moveable by respective motive sources associated with the actuator heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, Roy Meade, Lei Bi, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140175653
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices comprise at least one integrated circuit layer, at least one conductive trace and an insulative material adjacent at least a portion of the at least one conductive trace. At least one interconnect structure extends through a portion of the at least one conductive trace and a portion of the insulative material, the at least one interconnect structure comprising a transverse cross-sectional dimension through the at least one conductive trace which differs from a transverse cross-sectional dimension through the insulative material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Nishant Sinha, John A. Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140179115
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns of openings. The methods may include forming spaced features over a substrate. The features may have tops and may have sidewalls extending downwardly from the tops. A first material may be formed along the tops and sidewalls of the features. The first material may be formed by spin-casting a conformal layer of the first material across the features, or by selective deposition along the features relative to the substrate. After the first material is formed, fill material may be provided between the features while leaving regions of the first material exposed. The exposed regions of the first material may then be selectively removed relative to both the fill material and the features to create the pattern of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu, John Smythe, Ming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140166972
    Abstract: Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Neil Greeley, Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20140158965
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell includes forming programmable material within an opening in dielectric material over an elevationally inner conductive electrode of the memory cell. Conductive electrode material is formed over the dielectric material and within the opening. The programmable material within the opening has an elevationally outer edge surface angling elevationally and laterally inward relative to a sidewall of the opening. The conductive electrode material is formed to cover over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material is removed back at least to an elevationally outermost surface of the dielectric material and to leave the conductive electrode material covering over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material constitutes at least part of an elevationally outer conductive electrode of the memory cell. Memory cells independent of method of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8735211
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140141590
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes GCIB-treated resistive devices, devices utilizing GCIB-treated resistive devices (e.g., as switches, memory cells), and methods for forming the GCIB-treated resistive devices. One method of forming a GCIB-treated resistive device includes forming a lower electrode, and forming an oxide material on the lower electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) until a change in resistance of a first portion of the oxide material relative to the resistance of a second portion of the oxide material. An upper electrode is formed on the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8703396
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns of openings. The methods may include forming spaced features over a substrate. The features may have tops and may have sidewalls extending downwardly from the tops. A first material may be formed along the tops and sidewalls of the features. The first material may be formed by spin-casting a conformal layer of the first material across the features, or by selective deposition along the features relative to the substrate. After the first material is formed, fill material may be provided between the features while leaving regions of the first material exposed. The exposed regions of the first material may then be selectively removed relative to both the fill material and the features to create the pattern of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Sllls, Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe, Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8691622
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell includes forming programmable material within an opening in dielectric material over an elevationally inner conductive electrode of the memory cell. Conductive electrode material is formed over the dielectric material and within the opening. The programmable material within the opening has an elevationally outer edge surface angling elevationally and laterally inward relative to a sidewall of the opening. The conductive electrode material is formed to cover over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material is removed back at least to an elevationally outermost surface of the dielectric material and to leave the conductive electrode material covering over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material constitutes at least part of an elevationally outer conductive electrode of the memory cell. Memory cells independent of method of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8686411
    Abstract: Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Greeley, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe
  • Patent number: 8686535
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a shallow trench isolation structure having a dielectric material with energetic species implanted to a predetermined depth of the dielectric material. Embodiments further include methods of fabricating the trench structures with the implant of energetic species to the predetermined depth. In various embodiments the implant of energetic species is used to densify the dielectric material to provide a uniform wet etch rate across the surface of the dielectric material. Embodiments also include memory devices, integrated circuits, and electronic systems that include shallow trench isolation structures having the dielectric material with the high flux of energetic species implanted to the predetermined depth of the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 8674336
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Insulative material is deposited over the first electrode. An opening is formed into the insulative material over the first electrode. The opening includes sidewalls and a base. The opening sidewalls and base are lined with a multi-resistive state layer comprising multi-resistive state metal oxide-comprising material which less than fills the opening. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell is formed within the opening laterally inward of the multi-resistive state layer lining the sidewalls and elevationally over the multi-resistive state layer lining the base. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8664112
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices comprise at least one integrated circuit layer, at least one conductive trace and an insulative material adjacent at least a portion of the at least one conductive trace. At least one interconnect structure extends through a portion of the at least one conductive trace and a portion of the insulative material, the at least one interconnect structure comprising a transverse cross-sectional dimension through the at least one conductive trace which differs from a transverse cross-sectional dimension through the insulative material. Methods of forming semiconductor devices comprising at least one interconnect structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Nishant Sinha, John A. Smythe
  • Patent number: 8637113
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory array includes forming a plurality of one of conductive word lines or conductive bit lines over a substrate. Metal oxide-comprising material is formed over the plurality of said one of the word lines or bit lines. A series of elongated trenches is provided over the plurality of said one of the word lines or bit lines. A plurality of self-assembled block copolymer lines is formed within individual of the trenches in registered alignment with and between the trench sidewalls. A plurality of the other of conductive word lines or conductive bit lines is provided from said plurality of self-assembled block copolymer lines to form individually programmable junctions comprising said metal oxide-comprising material where the word lines and bit lines cross one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8617959
    Abstract: Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory are described herein. One or more method embodiments of processing resistive memory include conformally forming a cell material in an opening in an interlayer dielectric such that a seam is formed in the cell material, forming a conductive pathway by modifying the seam, and forming an electrode on the cell material and the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 8614499
    Abstract: A variable resistance memory cell structure and a method of forming it. The method includes forming a first electrode, forming an insulating material over the first electrode, forming a via in the insulating material to expose a surface of the first electrode, forming a heater material within the via using gas cluster ion beams, forming a variable resistance material within the via, and forming a second electrode such that the heater material and variable resistance material are provided between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Smythe